My 4 Fighting Game Community Black-spirations!

Infinitii

Infinitii is a competitive player in the NRS scene, specializing in Mortal Kombat X and more recently Injustice 2. She mains Mileena and Catwoman with a lil bit of my girl Enchantress on the side (I suspect her relationship with Mileena is a lot more intimate than what meets the eye…) As a member of the FGC’s fiercest women’s team – The Sirens – Infinitii has been a very vocal advocate for and inspiration to women in the FGC. She is a player you can easily point to whenever doubters come out of their basements questioning women’s ability to play at a high level. Recently sponsored by Hazardous, Infinitii is going to be able to travel a lot more to attend majors this year. And, with the recent announcement of Injustice 2’s second Pro Series I look forward to seeing her take her competitive experience onto the biggest world stages. Go get em girl! @SedriaXO

Sonic Fox

A legend in the making and already made, Sonic Fox is known for his prodigious ability to play multiple fighting games at the highest level; winning many major tournaments, including EVO. Master in the Mortal Kombat and Injustice series, Skullgirls and Marvel vs Capcom Infinite, Sonic Fox is now dominating the US Dragon Ball FighterZ scene and is looking to draw blood among Japanese players. But what is so refreshing about him is how he plays his life at the highest level of himself. Self-proclaimed furry and queer black man, Sonic Fox breaks down every expectation of what a top tier competitive gamer should be like and nobody can say anything because he’s the best at what he does. I mean, he literally won a tournament in a full fox suit… Some people were freaking out but I’m celebrating: it is beyond refreshing to see some life and diversity pumped into the FGC. Seeing myself reflected in the community is part of what’s encouraged me to stick around, I love it. Keep it foxy, Fox! @SonicFox5000

Lord Grimulus

Jack of all trades, Grimulus is a well-known member of the UK FGC. King of Fighters competitive player, tournament organizer, commentator, community builder and founding member of East London Fighters (ELF), Grimulus has been at the center of creating the biggest fighting game community in London as well as developing the King of Fighters community across Europe. East London Fighter’s has managed to combine the best of both worlds by being a grassroots, homegrown community alongside being leaders in UK eSports. Dominate in the UK Tekken 7 competitive scene, by hosting regular events ELF have inspired newer players to pick up their pads and grow as players. As well as being a skilled and experienced as a tournament player, Grimulus also has an incredible talent in making new players feel at home in the FGC and bringing different fighting game communities together under a shared love of the genre. So much respect, more of this please! @Lord_Grimulus

Palushina

Palushina blew up the internet when she won her first Street Fighter 5 (SFV) tournament at the start of this year: bagging herself a perfect and not dropping a single set the whole tournament. Most of twitter was jubilant about her amazing performance but there was a small element of the guttersphere that was surprised a female could slay at a competitive level. I know – it’s like we’re still living in 1950s and your uncle Bobby is rocking that that horrendous Jheri Curl… Sigh. But, she has once again proved she is riding with the best by finishing 3rd in SFV and 7th in Tekken 7 at Michigan Masters. Palushina and her Menat are going from strength to strength and putting in work at multiple tournaments. I see those resets girl! It’s so inspiring to see how Palushina’s confidence is growing at every tournament, and confidence is exactly what makes a player dangerous so watch out boys, she is going to be a real threat this year! @Palushina